My name is Chris Harpum and I am delighted to be standing in this local election for The Labour Party in the Central Meon Valley. I have lived and worked in this part of Hampshire for almost 30 years, working mostly in further education, including at senior management level , and am currently leading the Sixth Form at a local college in Portsmouth. I live in Denmead with my wife who works in the NHS. I am standing in these elections as I passionately believe the Labour Party has the policies, energy and vision to help people in their local communities, where rural poverty and problems with local services are often hidden from view, and where local people often bear the brunt of Conservative austerity. I passionately believe there is a better way and, as your local representative, I would be a proud advocate for all those I seek to represent.